Page 35 of The Fun Part
Several minutes later, I carry the china cabinet to the dining room. We carry the buffet in together, maneuvering it into place.
She wipes her hands on her jeans. “Now we have to return the truck to my parents’ house and stop in to give Mom all the details. I’ll be lovey-dovey with you. Try to look happy about it.”
I cock my head. “What exactly is lovey-dovey in front of your parents?”
“You’ll see.”
This should be interesting.
A short time later, we’re standing on her parents’ porch, Mackenzie’s hand in mine as she uses her other hand to push the doorbell.
Her dad answers the door. “Hey, sounds like it went well.” He doesn’t comment on the hand-holding, but he does glance at our clasped hands, filing the info away.
He steps back, and I follow Mackenzie inside. Hailey waves from the recliner chair with her feet up.
“Thank you both!” Hailey says. “I so appreciate it. How does it look in the space?”
“Good!” Mackenzie says brightly. She puts her hand on my arm and gazes up at me. “Cal was wonderful. So helpful and strong.”
I square my shoulders, pride filling me. Like Mackenzie actually adores me, even though I know it’s just an act.
“Wonderful!” Hailey says.
I go to help Mackenzie off with her coat, but she shakes me off. “We’re not staying.”
“Oh, please stay,” Hailey says. “I’d love to offer dinner as a thank you.”
“I bought steaks,” Josh says. “Plenty for the four of us.”
My mouth waters. I love steak, and Josh is a great cook. I guess he’d have to be with his restaurant.
Mackenzie sends me a look that says,See? I told you. She’s so sure about the matchmaking. It seems to me her mom genuinely wants to thank us for doing her a favor.
“I love steak,” I say.
Mackenzie smiles at me tightly. I help her off with her coat. She takes it and hangs it in the hall closet and holds out her hand for mine. Josh heads into the kitchen, but Hailey’s still parked in the recliner on account of her ankle. I can feel her watching us.
I guess Mackenzie does too because after she hangs my coat up, she puts a hand on my chest and smiles up at me. My heart kicks harder. “Great job,” she whispers.
Hailey looks at us, her brows drawn together with concern. “Cal, would you mind going into the kitchen to see if we have any cabernet? Josh will know where it is.”
“Sure.”
Mackenzie sits on the sofa near her mom, sending me a flirty wave with a smile. I wave back, enthralled despite myself. I know it’s fake, but damn if I don’t like it.
9
Mackenzie
Mom’s all concern as she studies my expression. “You seem closer to Cal after your outing today.”
I lean into it. “He’s a great guy. Strong, capable, smart.”
Her hand goes to her throat, seeming taken aback. “Well, yes,” she says slowly. “I can see why you’d think that, but let’s not forget he’s a bit of a player, isn’t he? He was dumped on Valentine’s Day for not proposing to his live-in love. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“You know me, Mom. I’ll be careful.”
“I know you say you’ll be careful, but it’s easy to misstep, and the next thing you know, it’s a slippery slope to major heartache. I don’t want that for you.”
